MLB Player News

McCutchen went 4-for-4 with two home runs, eight RBI and four runs in Tuesday's 10-1 win over the Orioles.

The RBI total was a career high for McCutchen, who plated half his runs on his first career grand slam, which came in the second inning. He homered again in the sixth inning and added a double and single for good measure, which translated to the most memorable performance of what's been a nice bounce-back season for the former MVP. A popular name in trade discussions last offseason, McCutchen will likely appear in the rumor mill again this winter if the Pirates decide to pursue a rebuild. Given the stellar .278/.362/.487 batting line he's submitted this season, the 30-year-old would surely fetch a more significant haul in any trade than he would have at this point a year ago.

Martinez went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and six RBI in Tuesday's 11-4 win over the Giants.

He did all his damage in the first two innings off lefty Matt Moore, ripping a two-run double in the first before launching a grand slam in the second for his 44th homer of the season, and 28th in 58 games since coming over from the Tigers. Should the D-backs make any noise in the postseason, particularly against the Dodgers' southpaw-heavy rotation, their trade deadline acquisition of Martinez will end up being the smartest transaction of the year.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a solo homer, two walks and two runs scored in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Cubs.

Carpenter came in 1-for-32 against Chicago starter Jake Arrieta, but reversed that trend with a home run to lead off the home side of the first inning. His walk rate rose to a robust 17.6 percent with this effort and the leadoff man crossed the 90-run threshold for the fourth time in five seasons by jumping from 89 to 91.

Turner (finger) is in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres.

Turner sat out the last four games after taking a pitch to the thumb last Thursday, but he is ready to get back on the field Tuesday night. He will man third and hit third against Padres starter Dinelson Lamet.

Harper will play right field and hit second in the Nationals' batting order Tuesday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Tuesday's game will be just the sixth this season Harper has spent in the two hole. It remains to be seen if he will stay there moving forward, as manager Dusty Baker may just be looking to maximize his at-bats.

The Nationals activated Harper (knee) from the disabled list Tuesday, Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post reports.

Harper is ready to get back on the field after missing roughly a month and a half with his knee injury. It remains to be seen where he will slot into the lineup, but it's a good bet he mans right field and hits third in the Nationals' batting order.

Harper (knee, illness) is feeling better and plans to be in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Harper, who has been sidelined since Aug. 12 with a knee injury, was expected to come off the disabled list prior to Monday's series opener against the Phillies, but his return was delayed by a day due to an illness. He's reportedly feeling better Tuesday, so it sounds like he should make his long-awaited return to the starting lineup. It's unclear if the Nationals will deploy Harper in an everyday role right away, but that will likely depend on how he checks out after his initial appearances.

Turner (finger) is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Turner was expected to rejoin the Dodgers' lineup for Monday's series opener, but it appears his injured thumb is still bothering him enough to keep him sidelined for a fourth game. He's scheduled to take batting practice Monday to test his thumb, so he'll hopefully have a clearer return date afterward. While Turner would like to get some games in before the regular season ends, he said he doesn't want to rush back before the NLDS. Logan Forsythe will continue to man third base in his absence.

Martinez is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.

Martinez will get Monday off after the Diamondbacks locked up home-field advantage for the NL wild-card game with Sunday's walkoff win. In his place, Jeremy Hazelbaker will start in right field.

Harper was not activated from the disabled list and isn't in Monday's lineup due to an illness, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

Although it had looked like Harper was poised to return to action Monday and play in his first game since Aug. 12, the Nationals will have to wait a bit longer before activating their star right fielder from the DL. More information regarding Harper's eventual activation should be available soon, as it's expected that he'll be removed from the DL once he's no longer feeling under the weather. Jayson Werth is starting in right field and hitting fifth Monday night.